Mohawk College Attempt to prevent Free Speech Has Failed Finkelstein will still talk

Mohawk College forces Finkelstein's lecture off campus
For the past week, CJPME has fought attempts by Mohawk College in Hamilton to cancel CJPME's lecture there Saturday (Feb. 19th) with Dr. Norman Finkelstein.  CJPME has refused to pay $1500 in "security fees" imposed by the College, considering them both unethical, and in breach of contract.  Mohawk College has therefore determined that the Finkelstein event will not be allowed to proceed at the College.  

As a result, the Feb. 19th Finkelstein lecture in Hamilton will be hosted at the new location as follows (see map below):

Centenary United Church

24 Main Street West

Hamilton, ON  L8P 1H2

More Hamilton details on CJPME Website. Admission $15, $10 for students with ID. Hamilton tickets available on-line here, or via telephone at 1-888-222-6608.

CJPME interpreted the move by Mohawk as a discriminatory attempt to prevent free speech and the public from hearing Dr. Finkelstein. Please continue to voice your concerns to Mohawk College.

Please click here to send an email to the President and other administrators of Mohawk College.

More Info 

On Feb. 11th, CJPME received a letter (see left) from Mohawk College threatening the cancellation of CJPME's upcoming lecture in Hamilton, ON. The College demanded that CJPME pay an additional $1500 for 8 security officers, or have its event cancelled. CJPME had already completed payment of $519 for rental of a 190 seat auditorium, so the move by Mohawk would effectively quadruple the rental cost of hosting the event. CJPME has refused to cede to Mohawk College's demand (see Feb. 18th press statement at left), considering it both unethical, and in breach of contract.

The move at Mohawk echoes a trend which CJPME and other social justice groups in Canada have noticed in recent years. Canadian universities make it increasingly difficult to host events by socially progressive speakers. Yet instead of outright refusing the events, these universities insist on outrageous "security" charges or administrative delays which make the events practically and financially unviable.

Please join us in Hamilton if you can, to show your support for free speech, and to encourage others to be there as well.

Thomas Woodley
President, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Telephone: 438-380-5410
CJPME Website - CJPME Email

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Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take root again in the Middle East. CJPME's work depends on donations to continue.
 

Please donate today either:

Via our on-line donation page  
 
By printing and mailing in the CJPME donation form (9880 Clark St., Suite 225, Montreal, QC, H3L 2R3)

 

By calling our office at 438-380-5410

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this Blog!